Did You Know?

Did you know that in addition to being co-founder of Angelcat Haven Feline Rescue, Cat Lady Rose (No. 338) is also a columnist?

Her column is called "Kitty Corner" and appears every other week in the Sun Chronicle newspaper in Attleboro, Massachusetts. Here is a link to this week's installment, called Our 'Children With Fur'

Enjoy!

Canine Cuties

You might have noticed that the title of this blog has been amended to "365 Cat Ladies and Friends." It has become apparent to me over the past year that Cat Ladies sometimes adore furry and feathered friends that are not of the feline persuasion.

I have enjoyed painting portraits that include bunnies, a parakeet, a hamster, many dogs, and even two chinchillas! I will be featuring some of these over the next few months, but you can also take a peek at them in this photo album: Susan Faye Custom Portraits

This portrait of Karen and Andi was commissioned by Cat Lady Flora who tells us:

"Animal lover Karen and her husband Mike live in a wonderful old Victorian house that they've restored along with the help and supervision of their dogs, Andi, an Australian shepherd (pictured at left), and Jill, a Basenji.

"Andi is 14 but still pretty spry. She is brilliant. We all wish we were as smart as that dog. She has a herd -- Karen's budgies. She supervises feeding and notifies Karen when it is time for them to go to sleep.

"In her prime, Andi was a frisbee pro and performed at several of our local AAA baseball games. Karen is a master gardener and has created a stunning landscape in their back yard. Unfortunately Andi and Jill feel obliged to add their efforts by digging up plants on occasion, but Karen is unflappable and takes it in stride."

Thanks for visiting!

Cat Lady Sandy...A Cat's Best Friend

Eleven-year-old Cisco (pictured on the left) was Cat Lady Sandy's very first cat. She found him crying in a garbage can when he was just a tiny kitten, and he has owned her heart ever since, and visa versa.

As good friend Flora reports: "Cisco is a one-woman cat and gets jealous when others vie for Sandy's attention. Cisco particularly likes supervising Sandy's devotional reading time every morning because he gets her all to himself...Sandy is very devoted to her family and friends and spends most of her time focusing on the needs of others, so I think it is only right that at least one of God's creatures spends his time focused on her."

Kitty Cara showed up a couple of years ago to become the official outside cat, "but a run-in with some fanged neighborhood thugs last winter convinced her that life as an indoor cat had much to recommend it. Cisco and Cara now spend their days pretending the other doesn't exist."

This portrait may be the only time you ever see these two lucky adoptees in such close proximity!

Thanks for visiting!



WELCOME 2010! This WALL POSTER CALENDAR is priced right at $5.99 and I have dozens of different Cat Lady designs to choose from. See the entire selection at: Susan Faye Poster Calendars

Cat Lady No. 365...Cue the Fireworks!

Strike up the band! Shout from the rooftops! I'm dancing a jig! I see the number 365 in this post's title!!!!

When I set out a year ago to write a daily blog with a new painting of a Cat Lady each day, little did I know what a fun adventure I was embarking on! Through the miracles of modern technology, I have made the acquaintance of a multitude of fabulous and fascinating Cat Ladies and Lads and their feline friends from around the world. I am grateful for your friendships, your stories, your collaborations, and your support over the last 365 days!

What's next? I'm looking forward to the next 365 days. You'll notice there's a brand new header up above and there are many more stories and portraits to share, although not necessarily on a DAILY basis...This blog will be evolving, and will include news and updates on some of my featured cat ladies past and future. You are invited to send in tidbits about Cat Lady events, birthdays, new projects, adoptions, and other newsworthy events in your life. Send them to my email: art@undertheoaks.net with the words "365 Cat Ladies" in the subject line.

I'm also cooking up some new ideas and projects which I will be announcing in the coming month or two, so stay tuned!

My kitty companion Buttonwillow and I would like to wish each and every one of you a healthy, prosperous, love-filled and PURR-fect New Year! All the best, Susan

Cat Lady No. 364...A Lucky Girl

Cat Lady Gale has been owned by a cat her entire life. As her sister Cat Lady Flora tells us:

"We both learned to adore animals from our mother, who always made room for them in our lives.

"Sam [Gale's current kitty] is about 14 and her background makes her a lady of mystery. She is obviously a purebred Himalayan. When she was about 5, a friend found her abandoned at her apartment complex. She seemed to have been abused and it took weeks for my friend to get close enough to catch her.

"My mother's cat had just died, so the friend gave her to my mother. Sam spent 4 days hiding under the piano, much to my mother's dismay. On the 5th day, for no apparent reason, she just marched out from under the piano and onto the sofa next to Mom. They were boon companions for 5 years until Mom died suddenly in 2005.

"Gale took Sam, who mourned Mom's death deeply. It took her about a year to realize that Mom wasn't coming back, and then she settled in and has bonded closely with Gale. She is at least 14 and has battled some health issues but is doing okay at this point. Sam is tiny -- only 5 pounds, but the Queen of her Domain and can be a bit sniffy with the help (i.e. Gale) when things aren't done to her satisfaction. She loves to cuddle and sleep in the sun and has a loud purr that is out of proportion with her size."

Thanks for visiting!

Can you believe it? We've arrived at Cat Lady No. 364!!

Tomorrow is the big day when I will post Cat Lady No. 365! What happens next? I will keep counting, but with a few changes and surprises. In the mean time, take a stroll down memory lane if you'd like, and meet all of the Custom Cat Ladies and Pet People that I have had the joy of getting to know over the past 14 months: Gallery of Custom Portraits.

Stay tuned!

Cat Lady No. 363...Home Work

Cat Lady Barbara is a freelance writer and advertising consultant. She works at home under the careful supervision of her two cats, Zeni and Buddy who keep the workplace safe by making sure she takes frequent breaks for petting, chatting, and filling any empty food dishes (an excellent stretching exercise for the deskbound...).

Barbara's husband Dennis is a professional musician, and the cats devote equal time to critiquing his efforts. The two highly recommend routine cat naps for optimal performance in the home office or studio.

Thanks for visiting!

Cat Lady No. 362...Three is a Charm

Cat Lady Shannon maintains a very balanced household when it comes to pets: three cats share their home with three dogs.

She and her husband Gary are deeply involved with animal rescue. All three kitties - Callie, Pud and Sisko - were rescues. Shannon and Gary frequently foster other animals, so the cats never know who will be showing up for dinner!

Best friend Flora says, "They are truly two of the kindest people I have ever known. Shannon works in public relations, and always jokes that she appreciates animals so much because she has to work with people all the time!"

Thanks for visiting!